Honda CB300F

Honda has issued a sizable recall for 11,424 motorcycles, which pertains to the Honda CBR300R and Honda CB300F motorcycles for the 2015 and 2016 model years. The recall stems from a the bikes’ crankshafts, which may have been machined improperly, and as a result could cause the rod bearing to fail.

Since a rod bearing failure could potentially stall the engine, a recall was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

So far, Honda has only found 41 affected motorcycles, with zero injuries reported. Honda dealers were notified in July to stop sales of the CBR300R & CB300F until recall work could be completed.

American Honda is recalling a slew of motorcycles for a faulty starter relay switch. The recall affects over 45,000 units made between 2013 and 2016. The affected models are the CB500, CBR500, CRF250L, CBR650, CTX700, NSS300, VT750, VT1300, 2015 CB300F, CBR300, CBR600, and NC700.

On the affected motorcycles, a sealant may have been incorrectly applied to the starter relay switch, and as a result the electrical system can suffer from a loss of power. This can cause the engine to stall, and the motorcycle to crash, so a recall is in order.

We first caught wind of the 2015 Honda CB300F back in March, and at the time we didn’t expect to see the naked small-displacement machine until the autumn trade shows. Well, Honda has proven itself full of surprises, because not only has Big Red debuted the Honda CB300F to the world, but American Honda has also confirmed the model for the United States.

Basically a Honda CBR300R without all of its fairings, the Honda CB300F offers a more upright sitting position, and a little bit less racer flair. At the heart of the CB300F is the same fuel-injected 286cc single-cylinder thumper, which has a longer 8mm stroke than the venerable Honda CBR250R, and thus accounts for its 37cc advantage in displacement.

Perhaps the best part about the 2015 Honda CB300F though is the price tag, which is downright affordable at $3,999 MSRP ($400 less than the CBR300R).

American Honda hasn’t locked down a delivery date for the USA, simply saying that the new model will be hitting Honda dealers in the fall of this year. From what we understand, that’s when you can expect to see the Honda CBR300R as well.

Just last week, Yamaha’s US trademark filings tipped off a possible three-cylinder sport-tourer from the Japanese OEM, and in that article we noted how intellectual property filings are becoming an important element in spotting new models from motorcycle manufacturers.

The irony of course is that patents and trademarks are designed to protect the intellectual property of applicants; but in our case, they often give notice to things OEMs would like to keep secret. Such is the case with what we believe is the Honda CB300F, a single-cylinder naked bike that is based off the Honda CBR300R small-displacement sport bike.